CUB RUN, Ky. (WXIX) – The cause of death for a 5-year-old autistic Kentucky child who went missing Tuesday has been determined.
Silas Shearer’s cause of death is consistent with drowning, FOX19 NOW’s sister station, WBKO, reports, citing Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts
Roberts said they are awaiting toxicology results to make a final ruling, which takes four to six weeks.
Shearer walked away from his home in Cub Run, Kentucky, around 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, according to Kentucky State Police.
His disappearance prompted a statewide emergency alert called the Ian Alert.
Tuesday was the first time the Ian Alert notification system has been used since it went into effect on July 15, 2024.
The emergency alert was named in honor of 9-year-old Ian Sousis, who was found in the Ohio River after he wandered away from the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky in Covington.
Like Sousis, the search for Shearer ended in tragedy.
State police announced within 40 minutes of the Ian Alert being issued that the 5-year-old was found dead.